Protecting Our Water: Stop Storm Pollution!

Stormwater pollution is rainwater that has been contaminated by bacteria, chemicals, oil, dirt, and trash. This happens when rainwater falls on roads, parking lots, and other hard surfaces that do not absorb water, and instead of soaking into the ground, it becomes runoff that flows into storm drains and nearby bodies of water, such as rivers and lakes. This can harm wildlife and affect our drinking water sources. To prevent stormwater pollution, it is important to properly dispose of trash and hazardous materials, such as paint, oil, and chemicals, and to minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers. We can also use green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and rain barrels, to capture and treat stormwater runoff before it enters our waterways. Making small changes in our daily habits can help protect our environment and ensure clean water for everyone.

Understand what stormwater is and how it becomes polluted

Stormwater is rainwater or melted snow that does not soak into the ground. Instead of being absorbed, it flows over rooftops, paved streets, highways, parking lots, and other hard surfaces. This is called stormwater runoff.

As stormwater flows, it collects and carries all sorts of things along with it, like dirt, litter, oil, chemicals, bacteria, and other pollutants. This happens when stormwater rushes over streets, parking lots, and other places where there is pollution. All of these extra things in the water are called contaminants or pollutants, and they make the stormwater polluted.

Stormwater runoff can pick up debris, chemicals, dirt, and other pollutants as it flows into a storm drain or directly into a local waterway, like a river, stream, or lake. This means that the water we use for swimming, fishing, and even drinking can become polluted.

Some of the things that stormwater picks up can be very harmful. For example, fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals can poison aquatic life, making fish and shellfish unsuitable for people to eat. This can make people extremely ill and affect the cost of treating water to make it safe.

Polluted stormwater can also cause problems for plants and other parts of the natural environment. For instance, sediment (or eroded soil) in the water can make it cloudy, which makes it hard for aquatic plants to get sunlight and grow. It can also interfere with the habitats of fish and other creatures.

Learn about the dangers of stormwater pollution

Stormwater pollution is rainwater contaminated with bacteria, toxic chemicals, oil, dirt, and trash that flows through storm drains into local waterways. This can have dangerous consequences for the environment and human health.

Stormwater is rainwater or melting snow that does not soak into the ground. Instead, it flows over impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and paved areas. As it flows, stormwater runoff collects and transports a variety of pollutants, including animal waste, litter, salt, pesticides, fertilizers, oil, grease, soil, and other harmful substances. These pollutants are then carried into storm sewers and ditches, eventually emptying into streams, rivers, and other waterways without any treatment.

The dangers of stormwater pollution lie in its impact on the environment and human health. Polluted stormwater can degrade lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic ecosystems. For example, nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen can cause excessive growth of algae, leading to oxygen depletion in the water. This process, known as eutrophication, can suffocate fish and other aquatic organisms. Additionally, toxic substances from motor vehicles, pesticides, and fertilizers can directly kill fish and other aquatic life, affecting the food chain and ecosystem balance.

Furthermore, stormwater pollution can contaminate drinking water sources, posing risks to human health. Harmful bacteria, chemicals, and heavy metals can find their way into water supplies, causing illnesses in people who consume the contaminated water or eat diseased fish and shellfish. The treatment of polluted water also becomes more challenging and costly for communities.

The impact of stormwater pollution extends beyond the immediate environment and human health. It can also lead to flooding and infrastructure damage. When waterways become overwhelmed with polluted stormwater, they can overflow, threatening human lives and causing damage to roads, buildings, and flood control measures.

It is important to recognize that stormwater pollution is a collective issue, and everyone plays a part in preventing and reducing its harmful effects. By making small changes in our daily habits, such as properly disposing of waste, using biodegradable products, and maintaining our vehicles and stormwater management systems, we can minimize stormwater pollution and protect our environment and communities.

Know what not to put down storm drains

Stormwater is rainwater that falls on hard surfaces, like roads and rooftops, and cannot be absorbed by the ground. This water is known as stormwater runoff and it flows into storm drains. Stormwater runoff can pick up lots of things on its way to the drain, like dirt, chemicals, and other pollutants. These pollutants are harmful to the environment and can make people and animals very sick.

Oil and Grease

Used motor oil and other vehicle fluids are very harmful to the environment. They can poison aquatic life and make people and animals very ill if they drink polluted water. Always recycle used oils and other vehicle fluids instead of pouring them down the drain.

Paint and Solvents

Paint and paint solvents are also very harmful to the environment. These chemicals can travel through the watershed, poisoning life and damaging ecosystems. Make sure to properly dispose of any leftover paint or paint solvents.

Pet Waste

Always pick up after your pets and dispose of their waste properly. Pet waste can contain bacteria that can make lakes and waterways unsafe for swimming and fishing.

Leaves and Debris

Leaves and debris can cause flooding if they are not cleared away from storm drains. They can also carry pollutants into the water, like dirt and grime.

Pesticides and Fertilizers

Pesticides and fertilizers can be toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Always use these chemicals responsibly and avoid spreading them outdoors. Try to use biodegradable or non-toxic alternatives whenever possible.

Understand how to properly dispose of hazardous waste

It is very important to understand how to properly dispose of hazardous waste to prevent storm water pollution. Hazardous waste can include many household products, such as insecticides, pesticides, paint solvents, used motor oil, and other auto fluids. These products contain hazardous chemicals that can be very harmful to aquatic life and, in turn, human health if they are not disposed of properly.

The first step in disposing of hazardous waste is to identify the type of waste and complete a waste profile. This will help determine how to handle and discard it safely. The amount of waste must also be determined, as this impacts the generator status, which is linked to the amount of waste produced.

Next, the transportation of the waste must be planned. It is important to choose the correct type of container to ensure the waste does not react with it. For example, corrosives should be placed in plastic or plastic-lined drums rather than steel drums. The containers should be properly marked and labeled, and all hazardous waste must be listed on a Hazardous Waste Manifest.

Once the waste is packaged and labeled, you can determine how it will be discarded. Some wastes can be recycled or burned for energy, while others can be treated and stabilized. Many wastes can be discarded in an EPA-permitted landfill, but it is important to check with your local landfill or solid waste management contractor, as some landfills may not accept certain hazardous products. It is also important to follow any local ordinances or requirements for how they want the waste to arrive at the landfill. For example, one landfill may want paint to be solidified (air-dried) and the container wrapped, while another landfill may have a different requirement.

Some hazardous household wastes can be flushed down the drain, but only in very small amounts and with plenty of water. It is important to check with your local wastewater treatment plant before doing so, as certain liquids may not be allowed, and heavy concentrations of chemicals can destroy the microorganisms that make the system work.

Find out how to maintain your neighbourhood stormwater pond

Stormwater ponds are super important for controlling flooding and making sure our water is clean and safe to use. They do this by slowing down the flow of rainwater, collecting dirt and other things that could pollute the water, and stopping them from getting into our rivers, lakes and drinking water.

Now, let's find out how to look after your neighbourhood stormwater pond and keep it healthy!

Keep it Clean

First, it's important to keep the pond and the area around it nice and tidy. Make sure there is no rubbish or litter, and that the grass and plants are neat and trimmed. You should also check that the water is flowing properly and there is nothing blocking the pipes or drains. It's also important to remove any extra mud or dirt from the bottom of the pond, so that the water can keep flowing and doesn't get dirty.

Check for Pests

Mosquitoes like to hang out around ponds, so we need to make sure there aren't too many. One way to do this is by adding more plants to the pond, especially ones that mosquito larvae like to eat, like fathead minnows.

Add Some Fun

Ponds can be a great place to have fun with your friends and family! You could go on a scavenger hunt to see how many different animals and plants you can find, or go fishing (with an adult's permission, of course!). You could even have a movie night by the pond, or a 4th of July Parade if you're in America!

Frequently asked questions